Well I was walking, first of all, because I had not run a half-marathon in years. As a mom, I kind of run like five miles here or there when I can fit it in, and that's kind of a big distance for me, so a half-marathon, I was like, "Whoa, Nelly!" But it was really fun. I think as a runner, your body sort of just kicks into that mode, so I think I ran like a 1:40 or something like that. You forget how much fun it is in a race atmosphere.

How did you train for that?

No, no. Not only is there no training—I run like five miles like three times a week. I have not run longer than five miles. We went out and my husband and I were sitting outside of the ballpark—because we had never been to San Diego—drinking beer, and we went out for a steak dinner. The next day I had to host the race, and I had to do all of the interviews—interviews like Cindy McCain and all of the people there—and kick off the race. They were like, "Okay, go!" I just jumped in and ran. Not even a sip of water.

How did you even cross the finish line?

It was so funny. I forgot running is just something I have done my whole life, so I just got caught up in the race, the music, and the people. It's kind of fun to do.

Were you hung over?

I was not hung over. I think we had three beers, which I am counting as my carbo-loading, but I think I would want to try a half again and train properly this time.

My dad ran marathons, so I started running when I was 8 years old. We always say about my dad that he was running before running was cool. So I grew up with him every weekend running races in the '70s when it wasn't that big of a deal, and then my brother and I started running with him. So every Saturday would be us getting up at 5 a.m. and going to run these races around Atlanta. We both got hooked on it, partially because we would win—because there was nobody else in our age group—and we liked winning the trophy. And then it just turned out that both of us sort of had a knack for it, so we both went on to run in college, and it's just sort of something that's always been a part of our family. On our family vacations, we'd always go running as a family—it's just always been part of who we are. It's cool, though, on vacations. We would see the neatest things running as opposed to driving in the car.

Like what?

I remember in Hawaii we found this little place called Kat's Kow Kow, a little hut that we ended up going to breakfast to like every day that was on a dirt road that we never would have found. Also on that trip, I remember we found this beach called Slaughterhouse Beach that you would never have found if you weren't running because it was this hidden little gem that you hike to. So I feel like on our runs we found cooler things that we maybe wouldn't have seen if it wasn't in a guidebook.

Do you still do that on vacations?

Yes. For my husband and I, it was neat to run that half-marathon together. The problem is, my kids are still young—my oldest is 9—so they're begging to go running with me, but I was like, "Let's hold off just a little bit." But my husband and I definitely still strap on our running shoes on vacation. It's kind of neat when you run through a town, too. The houses look different, the town—you are just going a little slower than a car, so you get in a little more.

Is there anywhere you have gone recently where you found a cool place?

Let me think. Not really because I have been running the Rose Bowl regularly. But right now running is my sanity. It's my therapy. It keeps me going. People are like, "How do you do that?" I'm like, "It's my time alone. Nobody is talking to me. I've got my music going." It's my favorite time.

So you said that you run the Rose Bowl three times a week?

Yes.

Do you do that in the morning?

No. We tape our show live from 8 to 9—and usually when I get out of the studio, I change my clothes and drive straight to the Rose Bowl and do my favorite loop twice—6.2 miles. And then I come on home to my mom world.

It's so nice to make that time for yourself.You know what? I think every mom [should run], if they can carve it out, but most of my friends are like, "We don't have time." You can always find time if you want to. You can wake up before the kids get up, which is what I used to do. Once you do it, too, it just becomes so addicting.

What about those days when they wake up in the middle of the night or super early?Once you are up and doing it, you always love it. But I totally get that those days are harder, especially for me because sometimes I'll be up all night with the kids if they are sick, and then I have to get up at 4:30 to get ready for work for the live show, so sometimes you are exhausted. You can shorten your run or whatever, but you never feel worse once you've completed it. It always gives you a little more energy. You feel better.

Where did you go to college?I went to the University of North Carolina and I ran cross-country and indoor and outdoor track. So it was year-round, which was a little much for me, so I did it just for my freshman and sophomore years, and I think my junior year, too. And then, by the middle of my junior year, I just kind of wanted to drink more beer and not have to work out. It was great, though. It was great to go to college for running because it was my identity. It was what I knew. So to get to college and to have that, it was such a great safety net. And I still keep in touch with the girls that I ran with. It was really fun.

Were you on scholarship for running?Yes, that was really nice. My brother ran for the University of Florida, which was insane with the heat down there. It was neat to run in college. The problem was that by my junior year, it felt more like a job, having to travel every weekend and all of that. But definitely for a couple of years it was a lot of fun.

Your dad must have been so proud of you.You know what's neat is that still today—we had a joke when we were younger, we'd always equate everything to like a 10-K and were like, now we have to beat our age. I'm 41. My dad is 75 and my dad just biked and ran across the United States at 75! So now for a 10-K, I am like, "Did you beat your age, Dad? C'mon!" And he'll be like, "Did you beat yours?" And I'm like, "Not so much!"

I feel so lazy!My family is very active. It's funny.

That must be so inspiring for you.It's great because that's just how we grew up, so it doesn't even seem weird that he does that. My family just has always been active, so when you are brought up that way, it continues on, and I hope that my kids are the same way.

Do you run alone?Yes, I like to run alone. I don't like to talk to people when I run. Well, it depends. Like in college, I liked running with people, but now, as a busy mom of three, it's my time. I prefer to run by myself now. It's my religion. It's my church, you know?

How was England for the royal wedding?Oh, that was great. The royal wedding was amazing. And one of my favorite runs was in Hyde Park with my cohost Billy Bush, my boss, and one of my producers. It was so fun. It was three boys and me. I think we ran four times, and talk about seeing neat things. You really could see the flavor of London on a run rather than driving in a taxi. We would run around Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey. You could just feel the excitement. The energy over there was amazing.

How was Billy Bush running? Was he chatty?In London, I wouldn't have enjoyed running by myself. Any new place, it's fun to run with people because you are noticing things, so he was so fun to run with. He kept me laughing and it was fun. It was a fun way, too, for my boss to debrief everything. We had a great little five-mile loop that we mapped out, and those gardens over there in the park are amazing. Hyde Park is filled with great people, great flowers. There were flags everywhere, and it was just very jovial to run around. People would cheer and yell. You felt the excitement, and that was the week leading up to the wedding.

That's so great to run there.Absolutely. I think we might have been the only news crew to run together, so that was really cool.

I love that you had meetings while running.Yes, the meetings! Get it going. That was really fun. Running was our debriefings, our laughing. It was great. We definitely went out at night for big dinners, so it was good.

What is the best running advice you have received?The best running advice is that if you can get your body to a point where you don't hurt on your runs and it's just sort of your time, that's great. My best race advice depends on what distance the race, but it's to drop your shoulders so that you are breathing and just kind of Zen-out and enjoy.Who told you about those things?I guess my dad has always been my coach for life and my coach for running, and when I would run when I was younger, he would always map out my times. I remember when I was like 9, he would write my mile times for the 10-Ks on my hand and I would just know what mile to hit. It's hard to give someone advice for running because everyone's style is different, everyone's pace is different, but we would sort of map out, depending on what race, our strategy for how to win. And I've got to tell you, he nailed it every time. So if it was a mile, we would sort of know our competitors, whether it was to go out at a certain pace or be the lead rabbit. We had a different strategy per race. It's funny, though, my dad's life advice and my dad's running advice have always guided me in the right direction.

Did he give you advice for this past race?I haven't raced in so many years that both my mom and dad called me and were like, "Listen, honey, you're 40 now!" They know that I am competitive when it comes to sports. I can't run a race without trying. I can't just jog around. In 1999, I ran the New York City Marathon without training, and I was nervous. I was getting married that year, so much was going on, and I was working. So my parents were like, "Just relax and have a good time." I went out slow and tried to enjoy myself, but I'm too competitive. I can't jog. I ran 3:32:46.

Did you get competitive when you ran with your coworkers?No, I only get competitive in races. Although, in 2009 I was running in Central Park. I'm a 39-year-old woman and I am running in Central Park. I go to pass this man, and he locks in beside me, like sort of picks up to my pace, and I had already done one six-mile loop and I was like, "You have got to be kidding me! I am literally about to die!" We never spoke this guy and I. We sprinted, literally, a whole other six-mile loop and finally he stays off and I win. And I start throwing up and I am like, "What is wrong with me that as a grown woman, I can't not push myself?" It's a runner thing, too. We didn't speak. We didn't look at each other, but we definitely took off on our own little race in Central Park. It was very funny.

I wonder if he'll read this and remember.Yeah, like, "I remember that jackass!" And I was definitely glad when he bowed out because I was dying. But I think a lot of runners who are competitive can relate to that because any place where you run where there is a loop, I think that happens a lot.

That's really funny.It's not funny. My husband was like, "That's so not cute. What's your problem?" And I was like, "I don't know!"

Does anybody recognize you on runs?Yes, sometimes, especially running around L.A., like in Santa Monica or at the beach, people will yell out "Access Hollywood!" or "ESPN!" I still get recognized from MTV, which is funny because my first job on Road Rules was 16 years ago. I get recognized more, actually, when I am running without makeup, the kind of sweaty look. I feel like I get recognized all of the time. As soon as you glam me up, nobody recognizes me. What does that say about my career?

Have you had any memorable moments with fans?I have definitely been chased down a couple of times with people that look a little weird. I think my running helps me. I can outrun them. It's usually at a concert or a big event.

I interviewed someone else who stopped running outside because of that.Well, I run with music now, which my brother says makes me a jogger, not a runner, so I'll just be like, "I can't hear you," and pull my hat down low and just take off.

What's on your playlist?I am so embarrassed to tell you, but I have gone back to totally '80s. I am a total meathead runner. I think I am channeling a 250-pound football player because I love training music. Now on my iPod, I have everything from Guns N' Roses to a little Dave Matthews. Anything that reminds me of my youth. Now that I am 41, I am going back to what makes me feel good.

What else is on there?Then I have got all of my kids' music, so a lot of Rihanna, a lot of Black Eyed Peas, a little Eminem. I keep losing my iPod, so I am running with theirs. The music that they've downloaded, my 8- and 9-year-old, that's what I am listening to.How do you know when you've had the perfect run?The perfect run is when you kind of get in the zone. Your body feels light; you feel good. You have that invincible feeling like you can go on all day. Those days when the monkey's on your back are just so great. You feel like you're invincible.

Do you eat anything special before a run?I am the worst eater ever because nowadays it's like a cup of coffee; try to get in a run. You saw what I did for the half-marathon. If I was seriously training, I would try to do everything properly like just try to eat healthy, a little more whole wheat, get some carbs before a run. But nowadays with the kids, I eat the chicken nugget that's fallen on the floor from the night before. It's all I can do! I grab anything that they are eating. I would love to say that I am better, but it's literally grabbing stuff on the go.

How do you psych yourself up for a run?In high school I won the Georgia state meet three years in a row for the mile and two-mile, so I guess I won six state titles. But back then I was obsessed with Rocky. My brother and I got a big boom box where you hit "Play/Record," and we would record from the TV all of the Rocky quotes from the movies so they'd mix in with the Rocky music. This was in the '80s when you had to do it yourself. So that was how I would get myself all fired up. Nowadays, as I get older, I am not trying to win anything. I am just trying to get a good workout.

Do you still listen to Rocky?You know what? I do. I have it sometimes on my iPod. Again, I like anything that reminds me of when I was young and competitive. Now I am old, and it's my therapy. Like when I go back to my high school in Atlanta, I love to run the track and think about the old days. I think a lot of people can relate. It gets hard when you get older. I miss competing, which was every weekend. Now, it's like you just sort of have a good time. I miss competing like that and getting psyched up for the race. It's funny, though, when I think about running, I think that's one reason that I love my job on live TV because it's sort of the same adrenaline as a race. You have to get yourself psyched up. You are preparing for the big show, and it's live so you get that rush, and then an hour later you are done. So I think that my whole career as running and competing kind of led me to this job.

What a great gig.It really is, but it's definitely that high pressure, that rush. When they call, "Two minutes to live," it's the same rush as when they say, "Last call for the 1600" on the track. It's funny how parallel they are.

You just work during the week?Monday through Friday, and I am off there at 9 o'clock and usually back to my life with my kids, which is my most important thing. I got a job that still lets me raise my kids.

Being able to spend time with them is amazing.Absolutely. I think that being a mom is what I am best at. It's what I am happiest doing.

And the kids must be happy that you are home with them.Yes. They are awesome. It sounds so cliche, but I love it. I love that I am raising little runners!

I love that they want to run with you!They keep asking, 'When can I run with you?' They are obsessed. Last year I took my daughter on her first mile run, and they call my middle daughter "Fasty" because she has some wheels on her. What my parents did was have me play every sport so the running came easily, so they're playing every sport right now. And I think when you are fast, it kind of helps out with all of the sports, so we'll see what they actually end up liking. But I actually think that all of three of them will be runners, especially because they see my husband and I. On the weekend, we take our turns running, so I think that since it's part of our lifestyle, I think that they will follow suit. That's how I grew up, and when I was growing up, nobody was doing it. So it's funny to see how popular it's become. Definitely pass it on to them. I think it's great because it's something that you can do for your whole life. It doesn't require a lot of money. You can do it anywhere you go and there's sort of that Zen quality about it that I love.

What do you love and hate the most about running?I don't think there is anything that I hate about running. Actually, the only bad thing maybe, is the pounding on your body, but I love the feeling that you get with running. I love that you can do it anywhere, socially or by yourself. I think the bonus is that you get a good workout from it. But the parts I love are so much more mental than that. It's the way that I feel when I am done. Any good idea I have comes from when I am running by myself and it clears my head. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't run.

What's the best idea you have gotten while running?Gosh, I don't know. When I run, I think about all of the little things from the day, whether it's the kids' school or moving to California for this big job or how to be a better wife to my husband. I try to find little, cute things to do. I don't know. On a run, your mind goes in a million different directions. I think on a run, especially if you are going longer, it's where you think about everything sort of big and small. You are figuring out your grocery list, as well as things that will affect your future. And it helps you stay in good shape, which I love.

Anything you want to plug?The show, Access Hollywood Live, has been a godsend, because I think now that my kids are getting into school, it gives me that running feeling but on a professional level. I get to get psyched up, I get to go live, and it's that adrenaline rush that I get from running that I get at work, too. So I'm very lucky.

Any special plans for the show in 2012?I think we'll be doing a lot more traveling. We are talking about going to Cannes next year, so I've definitely got to run and get my bikini body ready for that!